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Rebuilding after the Thomas Fire

Dear Friends,

We’ve all seen, felt or been directly impacted by the devastation of the Thomas Fire. Here at Habitat we believe that everyone deserves a decent place to call home so to see many in our community lose their homes has been heartbreaking at our core.

We are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community, having received many calls offering volunteer support and funding for the rebuilding process. Thanks to CA state agencies, initial clean-up efforts are already underway at no cost to homeowners. Our mission is to support low income families with affordable housing and we are actively “at the table” to identify needs as families/homeowners move into the long-term rebuilding phase of this disaster. We are actively involved in two key groups focused on long-term recovery efforts – the Thomas Fire Recovers Housing Task Force co-chaired by representatives of the County of Ventura and City of San Buenaventura, and the Long-Term Recovery Group of Volunteer Organizations Assisting in Disasters (VOAD) where I am co-chair of the Long Term Recovery Group Steering Committee.

If you, or someone you know, have been impacted by the fire and might need rebuilding help, please fill outthis formso that we can gather information to better inform our rebuilding efforts going forward. In the meantime, Habitat for Humanity’s ReStore in Oxnard is offering vouchers valued at $200 to households that lost their home in recent wildfires. The ReStore is a discount home improvement store selling furniture, building supplies and appliances with all proceeds supporting Habitat’s mission to build homes, communities and hope.

For those who lost their residence, whether homeowners or renters, the fire has exacerbated an already extremely low level of housing stock available and the cost of housing is only increasing. This has re-energized discussions around the creation of more housing stock generally, and affordable housing in particular. HFHVC is poised to support this community need.

Together, we are building a stronger Ventura County.

Steve Dwyer, Executive Director
Habitat for Humanity of Ventura County